What influences success in secondary school, and why do some students drop out?

Belief in self, parental involvement, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, quality of schooling. Drop out because they are not actively engaged in school.

How do adolescents form an identity?

They modify and synthesize earlier identifications into a new psychological structure greater than the sum of its parts. They must solve choice of occupation, sexual identity, adoption of values and world views.

How common are sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy, and what are the usual outcomes?

adolescent less time with parents
parents want adol. to be independent
Parents argue with adolescents
Authoritative parenting works best
2 parents are advantage during adol.
Economic stress in parents - negative.

What is distinctive about adult thought and intelligence?

Postformal thought. It is applied in social situations and involves the ability to shift between abstract reasoning and practical considerations.